Automobile construction



Aug. 16, 1932. 11. H. WOODS 1,871,871

AUTOMOBILE CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 10, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR g= 1932- H. H. WOODS 1,871,871

AUTOMOBILE CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 10, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented 'Aug. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES HAZEL H. WOODS, OI BEAVER, PENNSYLVANIA AUTOMOBILE consrau'cnon Application filed December 10,1929. Serial No. 412,996.

My invention consists of an improvement in automobiles or other similar transportation units, adapting it to provide for utilization as a sleeplng vehicle. It has in view to extend the limits of usefulness of the modern automobile in an important and economical manner providing greater opportunities for,

comfort and enjoyment of travel by the modern motor car.

Generally stated, the improvement has in view to provide a supplemental adjustable top for cars of the coach or sedan type capable of being raised and lowered above the main top of the carriage frame, with intervening bedding, as hereinafter more fully described.

Referring to the drawings: Fig.1 is a view of a sedan type automobile provided with my invention, showing the 3 supplemental top erected;

Flg. 2 is a cross section on the line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the supplemental top collapsed;

Fig. 4 is a partial view in elevation showing a modified construction of supporting means for the supplemental top;

Fig. 5 is a partial cross section on the line V-V of Fig. 4.

The main body of the automobile, of the closed type extends upwardly by the usual sides 2 and front and. rear ends 3 and 4, terminating in a common surrounding edge 5.

These are preferably rounded as shown for finish of the body top in any preferred design. The edge framing 5 is rigidly supported by the walls, and cross slats 6 are connected at suitably close intervals to ensure a strong continuous mattress-like foundation for desirable bedding 7. A sheathing a of coiled wire or other comparatively thin strong supporting fabric is laid over the entire slat area, providing a firm somewhat resilient base for the bedding.

As shown the edges 5 extend suificiently upward above the slats to provide side and end retaining boundaries, while also lowering the upper portion of the bedding 7 for convenient oollapslng of the supplemental top 8.

Said top, as shown, conforms to the general normal contour of the usual fixed top, so that when lowered, it closely resembles the standard construction of limousine body cars. Its side and end edges 9 are curved so as to nest downwardly around the framing edges 5, while also providing convenient finishing edges for the top when raised.

Top 8 is supported-upwardly in position by four toggle arm uprights l0, hinged'together at 11 and pivotally connected to the main frame 5 as at 12 and the upper top edges as at 13.

Any suitable means may be utilized to arrest the uprights against accidental collapse, as interfitting shoulders, locking set screws, or the like.

However to ensure stability I prefer to use adjustable supporting legs 14 hinged to the inner front and back of the rim 9 as at 15 and capable of being folded up when not in use, as in Fig. 3.

Any other suitable means may be utilized for erecting and supporting the top, as vertically adjustable standards 16 as in Figs. 4 and 5. These may be set in Vertical receiving sockets 17 of the body sides and fitted into the top, so that when raised with the top, they may then be locked or held at the desired height. This may be done b suitable means, as keys 18 extending throug holes and resting on the main upper edges 5, as shown.

It will be understood also that suitable curtains or other protective side coverings may be used with the top 8 by attachment to their sides and ends, and de ending downwardly to or towards the main sides 5 and the opposite ends 3 and 4. These may be in the form of sectional curtains, fastened in. the usual manner of automobile curtains by buttons or the like, or they may be mounted on springrollers, in the manner of window shades, if preferred.

What I claim is:

1. In automobile construction, in combination with side and end body walls having a terminal framing rim around an upper open middle portion, a series of transverse supporting slats extending across said open portion and supported on the side walls, an 00 open mesh wire netting laid over the slats, providing a bedding support, a covering top adapted to lie closely upon and extending outwardly over the upper edges of the side 5 and end walls, collapsible supporting means for the top comprising pairs of pivotally connected toggle arms engaging the side walls and the side edges of the top respectively, and vertically adjustable supporting standards secured to the to extending downwardly through 0 enings 1n the body walls and having' mova le arresting abutments thereon providing for supported erection and collapsing of the top.

2. In automobile construction, in combination with side and end body walls having a terminal framing rim around an upper open middle portion, a series of transverse supporting slats extending across said open portion and supported on the side walls, an open mesh wire netting laid over theslats providing a bedding support, a covering top adapted to lie closely upon and extending outwardly over the upper edges of the side and end walls, collapsible supporting means for the top comprising pairs of pivotally connected toggle arms en aging the side walls and the side edges 0 .the top respectively, upwardly and downwardly swinging supporting legs pivoted underneath the ends of the top adapted to vertically engage the end walls of the body and to be folded upwardly underneath the ends of the top, and vertically adjustable supporting standards 35 secured to the top extending downwardly through openings in the body walls and having movable arresting abutments thereon providing for supported erection and collapsing of the top.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aifix my signature. HAZEL H. WOODS. 

